Virtual Reach Begins Beta Testing for Newsclip 2.0
Toronto, ON – 19 September 2005 – Virtual Reach Inc. ("Virtual Reach") announced today that it is releasing for beta testing the latest version of Newsclip for BlackBerry. Newsclip 2.0 is the result of months of software development at Virtual Reach, culminating in an application that builds significantly on its existing version. While version 1.0 will remain functional, Newsclip 2.0 will replace it as the flagship product.
"With version 2.0, we have truly taken Newsclip to the next level," commented Tas Tsonis, Chief Executive Officer. "We have made tremendous improvements to the application, from a new user interface to the many feature enhancements. Conceptually, we are where we want to be with our product, giving users a sophisticated, efficient and extremely useful application for reading news and other media of their choice on their BlackBerry device," he added.
The single most important improvement with version 2.0 is the addition of a server component integrated with the client application. With the server, Newsclip now comes loaded with a host of new features designed to provide users greater flexibility and management capability when it comes to organizing their daily intake of news and content. And with the "automated update" feature, users can program their Newsclip to deliver frequent updates without having to manually access the application.
The underlying premise of Newsclip is to provide users with a means to accessing content on the wireless Internet without having to use a mobile browser which can often be slow and frustrating. The application is built on a platform using a standard called RSS, or "Really Simple Syndication", which is fast becoming the Internet standard for publishing and syndicating content of various kinds. Using an XML format, RSS is lightweight and ideal for wireless. Within Newsclip, users can "subscribe" to an unlimited list of RSS "feeds" or "channels", and the corresponding content is delivered for viewing with speed and accuracy. "We’re confident of the consumer value in Newsclip," Tsonis commented further. "Everyone has had miserable experiences using a wireless browser, and now they can bypass that process altogether with our more user-friendly solution," he added.
This development represents a milestone for Virtual Reach. "We’re very pleased with the improvements and technological advancements weve made with Newsclip 2.0," said Chief Technology Officer, Jay Steele. "To have a fully functional client-server application gives us a strong foundation on which we will begin developing for multiple wireless platforms, as well as researching sophisticated technologies, like push, for future versions," he added.
In addition to the functionality and features of the first version, Newsclip 2.0 is equipped with the following features enhancements:
- Automated updating of content and news headlines delivered directly to your handheld;
- Rich content rendering, including HTML and other images for all feeds that provide such;
- Multiple single views with standard categories "All Items", "Saved Items", "All Read Items" and "All Unread Items";
- Server based application with personalization functionality for greater optimization of content;
- Efficient data compression for faster transfers and downloads.
Virtual Reach is looking for your help in testing its latest Newsclip application. In consideration for your assistance, the first 20 beta testers will be eligible for a free license good for one year once it is released into the market.
About Virtual Reach Inc.
Virtual Reach is a leading developer of compelling and useful software applications for wireless devices, specializing in the efficient delivery of content and media to mobile handsets. The Virtual Reach suite of products are built on a platform using RSS, or “Really Simple Syndication”, a fast growing and open Internet standard used for syndicating various forms of content throughout the world. With its flagship product, Newsclip, users are provided with the ability to access, manage and consume content of all kinds directly on their mobile handset with ease and efficiency.
Founded in 2004, Virtual Reach is a privately owned company with its corporate head office in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information on Virtual Reach and its RSS solutions for wireless and mobile platforms, please visit www.virtualreach.com.
Virtual Reach, the Virtual Reach logo, and Newsclip are all trademarks of Virtual Reach Inc.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries.
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| Contact: | Robert Belliveau Director, Business Development |